Washington, 06 Nov 2023 (Anadolu Agency)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Monday over ‘clear violations’ of international law in Gaza, emphasizing that “no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.”

During a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said the UN and its partners are launching a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million Palestinians.

“I am deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing. Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law,” said the UN chief.

Describing the situation in the besieged and bombarded Palestinian enclave as “more than a humanitarian crisis,” Guterres stressed that it was facing a crisis of humanity, shaking the world and rattling the region.

He emphasized that the protection of civilians must be paramount and highlighted that Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children, with hundreds of girls and boys reportedly being killed or injured daily.

“The unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian cease-fire more urgent with every passing hour,” said Guterres.

“The parties to the conflict — and, indeed, the international community — face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: To stop the inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he added.

Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, have been killed in the Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza’s more than 2 million residents due to the Israeli siege.

Israeli attacks have killed a Palestinian child every 10 minutes on average over the past month in Gaza, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Monday.

“On average, a child is killed and 2 are injured every 10 minutes during the war,” the UNRWA said in a statement published on X.

“Protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity,” it added.

UNRWA is the primary UN agency operating in the Gaza Strip, where its schools currently host some 670,000 displaced Palestinians seeking refuge from unrelenting Israeli attacks. The aid agency has lost at least 70 of its staff workers since the attacks began.

Israel has launched air and ground raids on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women. The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements due to the Israeli siege of the region, basic supplies are also running low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

he flights at Israel’s main airport has been cut by 80% since the outbreak of the fighting in Gaza on Oct. 7.

According to the Secret Flying website, there is an average of 100 flights daily at the Ben Gurion airport during the war, compared to usual 500 flights per day before the conflict erupted.

The website added that most of the flights canceled belong to the main Israeli airlines – El Al, Arkia and Israir, in addition to foreign carriers which also canceled their flights to Ben Gurion Airport.

It, however, said an estimated 50 foreign carriers had canceled all their scheduled flights to and from Israel.